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Valuable ecosystems are found in all African coumhes. These ecosystems are valuable not only 

 in local or naoonal terms but also, in many cases, in global terms. A framework for rhe 

 conservation of biodiversity must take into account the multiplicity of ecosystems that exist in 

 sub-Saharan Africa. Different approaches are necessary in different situations. 



Local traditions, knowledge systems, institutions, and environmental conditions are important 

 factors in biodiversity conservation. The taslc of modifying or limiting activities destructive of 

 biodiversity is simplified if efforts are made to reinforce, encourage, and further develop local 

 practices or traditions that are already consistent with biodiversity conservation. 



All biological resource users should be treated equitably. Subgroups within a community, or 

 different communities, often have different perspectives on the use and conservation of the same 

 set of biological resources. Women and the poor, in particular, have often been ignored or 

 disadvantaged by development activities, to the detriment of biodiversity conservation. 



Broadly based participation is essential. Local people must be involved at every step from 

 planning to implementation to evaluation and redesign. Initially, governments and other funding 

 agencies may need to suggest new integrated projects. In time, local communities and the 

 private sector are likely to want to initiate similar projects but will need technical and financial 

 assistance to do so. Projects should be carried out with local communities, ratiier than for 

 them. 



Biodiversity conservation must be understood in terms of the whole system. Even small 

 decisions should be made with regard to the broader (national or ecosystem) perspective. The 

 utilitarian focus on preserving endemism and genetic resources needs to be modified, with 

 increasing emphasis placed on conserving ecological systems as a whole. 



It is important to accept that people will continue using resources. It is the kind and intensity 

 of resource uses that are important. Many conventional conservation efforts have advocated 

 protection without human use; conversely, modem agricultural systems have emphasized 

 production without conservation. The move now must be toward programs and projects that 

 meet human needs in ways less destructive to the environment. Production systems that are 

 sensitive to biodiversity are more likely to be sustainable in the long term. 



A range of biodiversity conservation systems should be supported and replicated wherever 

 possible. Every African country has its own set of biodiversity resources. The full range of 

 biomes in a country must be considered, and within each biome there may be several major 

 types of ecosystems. Innovative new complexes of production activities should aim at 

 protecting representatives of each ecosystem type. Replication is necessary, because of the 

 unpredictable resource losses from natural disaster, wars and civil strife. 



Appropriate inceruives are needed to encourage all participants to become involved with 

 conservation. Direct economic incentives include provision of tax breaks for communities or 

 businesses involved in biodiversity conservation. Secure land and resource tenure can stimulate 

 investment (of botii human energy and financial resources) in conservation of natural resources. 

 Government officials should have incentives for effective work in rural areas. A local 

 community voice in biological resources governance can, of itself, be an mcentive to sustainable 

 management. Also, disincentives should be applied to actions destructive of biodiversity. 



From "African Biodiversity: Foundation for the Future." Biodiversity 

 Support Program, 1993, pages xx-xxi. 



